"Christ
is born, glorify him. Christ is from heaven, go to meet him. Christ
is an earth, be ye lifted up!" With these joyous words of
the Nativity prayers I greet you, dear-in-the-Lord Russian Orthodox
Youth, on this great day of the Nativity of Christ.

Do your hearts
echo these inspiring and powerful words calling you to Christ,
Who on this day became incarnate in Bethlehem from the Groomless
and Most-Pure Virgin Mary?

"God
from on high appears on earth a meek man;" do you sense with
all your being this greatness, all the all-peaceful joy of this
wondrous holiday?

Glorify this
day with all your soul your Lord, Who so immeasurable diminished
Himself and taking upon Himself the image of a servant, for the
sake of mankind and for our salvation.

Are you prepared
in your soul to greet Him, Who comes from heaven to earth, with
loving

He "descends
to earth to raise us to the heavens:" likewise should you,
with your minds and hearts rise to heaven with a feeling of the
most profound gratitude and devotion to Him.

If the Nativity
of Christ is for us not only a "seasonal holiday" when
you greet each other and give presents, but is a genuine spiritual
feast of faith, elevating us high above this sinful world, then
we, as your spiritual guides, should thank God for you, that our
labors do not remain unfruitfulÉ

May it be
so, by the mercy of He Who was born in the world, the Incarnate
Lord!